Semicolons with Conjunctions
Using Semicolons before Conjunctions
A semicolon is used before a conjunction for one of two reasons: (1) to divide a compound sentence with lots of commas, and (2) to separate list items that contain commas.(1) Use a semicolon before a conjunction in a compound sentence with lots of commas. For example:
- John Smith, a boy from my village, beat Garry Kasparov; but Mr. Allan, our school janitor, beats John regularly. (This is a compound sentence (i.e., a sentence made up of two "sentences"). In this example, the two "sentences" are joined by "but." Normally, there would be a comma before "but." However, as there are already lots of commas in these "sentences," it is possible to use a semicolon before "but" to outrank those commas.)
- The crew will be Mark Jones, the skipper; Toby Jones, the engineer and helmsman; and Tracy Plant, the trimmer. (This list has three list items. As the list items contain commas, they are separated by semicolons to outrank those commas. This includes a semicolon before the conjunction before the final list item.)
Semicolon before a Conjunction in a Compound Sentence
When a conjunction (e.g., "and," "but," "or") merges two sentences into one, it should be preceded by a comma. For example:- Mark trained as a solicitor, and Paul trained as a firefighter. (The conjunction "and" has merged two sentences into one. The sentences have now become independent clauses of a single compound sentence.)
- Mark, 23, trained as a solicitor; and Paul, Mark's younger brother, trained as a firefighter.
Another Example of a Semicolon before a Conjunction
Here is another example of a semicolon used in a compound sentence (i.e., a sentence with at least two independent clauses):- In the '60s, there were dozens of buzzards along the 7-mile trek; but, due to the decline in vermin, only 2 adults live in the area at present.
In the 1960s, there were dozens of buzzards along the 7-mile trek.
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Due to the decline in vermin, only 2 adults live in the area at present.
Another Example of a Semicolon before a Conjunction
Here is another example:- Mark, Dawn, and Sally adore boiled spare ribs; but Julia, a staunch vegetarian, leaves the room when they are on the menu.
Semicolon before a Conjunction in a List
With a simple list, the list items are separated by commas. For example:- John Smith, Janet Jones, Fred Bloggs, and John Doe
- John Smith, the lawyer; Janet Jones, the CFO; Fred Bloggs, the accountant; and John Doe, the interpreter
Another Example with an "Oxford Semicolon"
Here is another example. This time, the list items contain commas and conjunctions, making the semicolons even more important for clarity:- New York, Washington, and Boston in the East; Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta in the South; and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego in the West
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